Podcast Archives

Retro Encounter 271 – Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean Part I

Posted by Alana Hagues on January 21, 2021

Only the second game to be released by Monolith Soft, Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean swaps space and mechs for a card game, but keeps the dead gods. Three panelists explore disc one of this weird and wonderful game, from the beautiful pre-rendered visuals, to the engaging world and b… Read More »

Phoenix Edge Ep. 162 – Favorite RPGs of 2020

Posted by Robert Hatfield on January 19, 2021

This episode, the panel discusses their personal favorite RPG of 2020, and also other RPGs that made a BIG splash this past year. This includes in-depth, non-spoiler conversations on Hades, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Xenoblade Chronicles DE, Cyberpunk 2077, Paper Mario: The Origami King, Hyrule Warri… Read More »

Retro Encounter 270 – Hades

Posted by Michael Sollosi on January 14, 2021

Retro Encounter’s episode on Hades marks the fourth Supergiant Games episode of the podcast in six weeks, but we discussed the Hell out of this roguelike RPG of gods and monsters. Our favorite Zagreus builds, our mythological romantic preferences, and our warm, fuzzy feelings of progress and accomp… Read More »

Retro Encounter 269 – Pyre

Posted by Michael Sollosi on January 11, 2021

What happens when you cross NBA Jam, Oregon Trail, and Supergiant Games’ distinct style and flavor? The 2017 indie narrative game Pyre, which is hard to describe in just a few sentences, so we recorded an entire podcast about it instead! Part three (of four) of our miniseries on Supergiant Games. … Read More »

Random Encounter 205 – New Year, Same Games

Posted by Greg Delmage on January 10, 2021

On this episode of Random Encounter, we break into 2021! We’ve got a few panelists chatting about some of their favourite releases of last year. Alana’s been trying to catch up with some popular hits and dove into the bizarre world of Paradies Killer, finding it the ideal murder mystery to list… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 60 – The Lost Years

Posted by Mike Salbato on January 6, 2021

Every year we get introduced to new games and new music. The ever-growing bounty of RPG music out there has grown quite a bit, with 2020 alone giving us amazing soundtracks like Final Fantasy VII Remake, Haven, Paradise Killer, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, and more. And while we’ve been enjoying introdu… Read More »

Retro Encounter 268 – 2020 Year In Review

Posted by Michael Sollosi on December 31, 2020

On the last day of 2020, Retro Encounter celebrates the year’s video games while offering good riddance to essentially everything else. From roguelikes that play like Diablo to open worlds that play like Persona to Japanese adventure games of multiple narratives to Irish adventure games of self-disc… Read More »

Phoenix Edge Ep. 160 – Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars – Discussion

Posted by Robert Hatfield on December 30, 2020

In this episode, the panel holds an in-depth, spoiler-filled discussion on the Super Nintendo classic, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. As previously mentioned, this episode is filled with spoilers for the game and is not intended for those that have not played the game. Topics: 01:50 – O… Read More »

Random Encounter 204 – Can Bad Games Ever Be Good?

Posted by Greg Delmage on December 28, 2020

On this episode of Random Encounter, Jono has braved the wastes ofAppalachia in Fallout 76 and, well, it’s not as bad as it once was. Despite not expecting to get into it so soon, Greg has been playing Cyberpunk 2077, and so has Tooker, so they have some thoughts to chat out on this i… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 59 – Winter Warmer II: The Wintering

Posted by Mike Salbato on December 22, 2020

Today we’re getting cozy and seasonally appropriate as the two Mikes and Alana discuss some excellent wintery tracks. It’s amazing how various instruments can come together to convey a wide variety of winter atmospheres; that and the abundance of good winter/snow themed music make this a topic worth… Read More »

Phoenix Edge Ep. 159 – Cyberpunk 2077 Controversy – PS4/PC Impressions + Game Awards (Discussion)

Posted by Robert Hatfield on December 21, 2020

This week the panel discussed the controversial launch of Cyberpunk 2077. Many believe the trust between developer CD Projekt Red and players has been permanently broken, but others believe this will pass after the game is fully patched. Opinions vary in this podcast, but we all agree, it would be i… Read More »

Retro Encounter 267 – Transistor

Posted by Michael Sollosi on December 17, 2020

Retro Encounter examines another entry in the Supergiant Games catalog in an episode all about Transistor, the 2014 action RPG that rewards careful planning with swift execution of its customizable abilities. The beautiful visual and audio presentation, 2nd-person narration, creative boss fights, an… Read More »

Random Encounter 203 – Enjoying the Apocalypse!

Posted by Greg Delmage on December 12, 2020

On this episode of Random Encounter, it’s just Greg and Jono talkin’ about some games of (relative) yore! Greg wrapped up on the stellar Horizon Zero Dawn and shares his final thoughts. This means Greg has time for Chrono Cross, for better or worse! Feeling the bug for Cyberpunk… Read More »

Retro Encounter 266 – Tales Of Fantasy Draft

Posted by Michael Sollosi on December 10, 2020

Retro Encounter loves Tales Of RPGs, and Retro Encounter’s host loves ludicrous fantasy drafts. Naturally those two passions collided in a podcast, in which five Retro Encounter panelists discuss their (mostly) favorite Tales Of characters and relationships in the format of a fantasy sports draft. W… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 58 – Female Game Composers: A Primer

Posted by Hilary Andreff on December 7, 2020

They sing, they form bands (and companies), and several of them play piano so well it will knock your socks off. And that’s just what they do in addition to writing music. In this episode, Alana, Eva, and Hilary delve into the rich and unique world of game compositions from female composers. From th… Read More »

Retro Encounter 265 – Bastion

Posted by Michael Sollosi on December 3, 2020

Retro Encounter kicks off Supergiant Games Month with a podcast all about Bastion, SG’s breakout 2011 title in which a Kid wakes up in a mysterious broken city with only a voice to guide him and a hammer for smashing. In this episode three panelists discuss The Kid’s journey, including his arsenal o… Read More »

Random Encounter 202 – Getting Ready to Winter

Posted by Greg Delmage on November 27, 2020

On this episode of Random Encounter, Greg and Quinton discuss their adventures in the latest Pokémon Sword and Shield DLC, The Crown Tundra, which has proven to be a solid addition to the game. Jono had a storied experience with Yakuza: Like a Dragon, but has completed this gem that you oughta play!… Read More »

Retro Encounter 264 – Final Fantasy X-2 Part II

Posted by Michael Sollosi on November 26, 2020

Final Fantasy X-2. Great job system, great battle system, well-made pop songs. But how about the rest of the game? Our panel has some criticisms about the side quests, main story, and overall presentation of FFX-2, but they try to balance the bad with some good in the newest Retro Encounter.… Read More »

Phoenix Edge Ep. 157 – DQ XI Re-Release – Is it Worth it? + 35th Anniversary DQ Speculation

Posted by Robert Hatfield on November 24, 2020

For many, Dragon Quest XI is one of the most beloved JRPGs of the PS4/Switch generation. With that said, early adopters of DQXI on the PS4 paid full price for the game, only to be tempted with a greatly expanded version of the game on the Nintendo Switch 18-months later… at a lower resolution and an… Read More »

Retro Encounter 263 – Crowdfunding Encounter

Posted by Michael Sollosi on November 20, 2020

Crowdfunding services like Kickstarter, IndieGogo, and Fig have disrupted traditional game production and become an inescapable part of how video game consumers and developers interact, but the crowdfunding revolution within video games is less than ten years old. Today’s Retro Encounter is a discus… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 57 – Final Fantasy IX-20

Posted by Mike Salbato on November 17, 2020

Final Fantasy IX saw the light of day in North America almost exactly twenty years ago today. It was on November 13, 2000 that the crystals returned, and Final Fantasy took a reprieve from the realism and sci-fi or steampunk overtones to harken back to castles, kingdoms, and big heads. Since FFIX ha… Read More »

Random Encounter 201 – They Don’t All Have an Impact

Posted by Greg Delmage on November 13, 2020

On this episode of Random Encounter, Greg continues his clicking in Torchlight III but seems ready to wrap it up. He has also been trudging through The Crown Tundra with his pokémon a bit, but has much more to do there. Caitlin was eagerly awaiting Trails of Cold Steel IV, but has been left wanting… Read More »

Retro Encounter 262 – Final Fantasy X-2 Part I

Posted by Michael Sollosi on November 12, 2020

The sequel to the 2nd game ever covered by Retro Encounter finally gets its own journal episodes over five years later! We revisit the world of Spira and its new dueling factions, critique Dressphere fashion choices, and discuss Yuna’s career change in our latest episode. Which Fina… Read More »

Phoenix Edge Ep. 156 – Bravely Default II Delayed – Discussion

Posted by Robert Hatfield on November 12, 2020

The discussion this week focuses on the recent announcement that Bravely Default II has been delayed until February 26th, 2021, as well as an overview of the various improvements made to the game, based upon the recent survey taken from the demo. Listen, subscribe, and chat where you please, and lea… Read More »

Retro Encounter 261 – Finding Paradise

Posted by Michael Sollosi on November 7, 2020

Kan Gao and Freebird Games deliver the fourth game in the SIgmund Corp. Saga later this year, so in anticipation of Impostor Factory Retro Encounter is playing Finding Paradise, a game about memories, regrets, and making sure toilet paper rolls are on the hanger and not at the edge of the bathroom s… Read More »

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